Chances are if you have come to Fajardo to pilot a kayak through a mangrove forest to experience the tiny glowing dinoflagellates of Laguna Grande, you will begin your adventure here at Parque Pasivo Las Croabas. Most days around sunset, the place is teeming with tourists who have come in from San Juan or other distant resorts just for the evening's bioluminescent bay (or "bio-bay") tour. Numerous tour operators are stationed all around the dock with huge racks of kayaks, and streets of the park are lined with other vendors taking advantage of the crowds.
Another reason you might visit this park would be to catch a water taxi over the Pasaje de San Juan to one of the white sand islands of the Cordillera Keys Nature Reserve. There are a few companies offering the service to Cayo Icacos for around $25 per person, just a quick 20 minute ride over the choppy bay to your own Gilligan's Island fantasy. We used Captain Mingo's yellow boat (search TripAdvisor for more info) and had a great afternoon of snorkeling, swimming, and lounging under the shade of our own palm tree.
We actually spent our recent PR vacation based in Las Croabas, so I visited this park every morning during my run through the neighborhood: down the hill to the park, up past Ocean View Condos and the police station and back down to Seven Seas beach, then past the Las Cabezas de San Juan Preserve (which surrounds Laguna Grande) and back home. It's a much different place early in the day, with grizzled old fishermen and their wives sitting in the shade, sipping cafe con leche before a day on their boats or staffing the many restaurants and pubs overlooking the small harbor.
On New Year's Day, a meetup of classic car aficionados was in full swing, complete with party music and picnics. Everyone was excited to show off their muscle cars and allowed us to photograph at will before we ventured over to the rocky shore to pick up hands full of polished beach glass.
Local families use this park as you would any neighborhood park. The new pirate ship playscapes are enjoyed by small kids and the many colorful pavilions (with a sturdy concrete food prep area) can be reserved for birthday parties and other celebrations.
Know before you go:
-- No swimming at the adjacent beach. It's choppy & surrounded by boat traffic.
-- Restrooms with sinks are available, but bring your own toilet paper; it doesn't seem to be replenished often.
-- Parking at evening/night can be a challenge, with the influx of bio-bay goers and diners at the restaurants surrounding the square.
-- Do make reservations if you intend to eat dinner nearby. There are no walk-ups, except at the few food trucks. read more